“The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky.”
President Donald Trump is preparing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in person as early as next week, according to a report published Wednesday by the New York Times, citing two individuals familiar with the matter.
The meeting would follow what Trump described as a “highly productive” visit to Russia by US envoy Steve Witkoff, who recently held talks with Putin. Trump said on Truth Social that “great progress” had been made and that “Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come.”
A second, broader meeting is also being planned, involving both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Times report said. Those details were reportedly shared by Trump during a call with European leaders on Wednesday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump is open to direct engagement with both leaders. “The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelenskiy. President Trump wants this brutal war to end,” Leavitt said.
The locations and exact timing of the meetings have not been disclosed.
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